Iliyasu Abdullahi Bah
As Nigeria marks 65 years of independence, the Northeast is experiencing a fragile but significant peace after more than a decade of insurgency that once devastated its economy, crippled education, and left healthcare systems on the brink of collapse.
At the height of the crisis, insurgents captured several local government areas, imposed levies on residents, and forced entire communities into displacement. But sustained counter-insurgency campaigns, evolving from Operation Lafiya Dole to the more robust Operation Hadin Kai, have weakened Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), drastically reducing large-scale attacks, banditry, and kidnappings.
For residents, the shift is profound. Yakubu Shugaba, a community member, reflected:
“We are no longer on the verge of insurgency; peace has gradually returned to the region. But government should make more effort in tackling insurgents still troubling areas like Kirawa in Gwoza, which suffered two attacks in September.”
While peace is gradually restoring confidence, economic realities remain harsh. Farmers in particular are struggling. Yunusa Shuaibu explained:
“Peace has restored to the Northeast, but we farmers are in a critical condition. With the hike in fertilizer, transportation, and labour, things are beyond control. We urge the government to do the needful to support all farmers.”
Others, like trader Hassan Mele of Damaturu, see the return of normal daily life as a blessing:
“We thank God as you see us doing our business in peace. We pray for more peace in our state and the nation at large.”
For many, the contrast between past and present could not be clearer. Habibu Yusuf recalled:
“We celebrate Nigeria at 65 in peace, but before was a disastrous time. We all fled from our area because it had become a deadly zone. Thank God we are back. God bless our motherland.”
As Nigeria celebrates its 65th independence anniversary, the people of the Northeast are not just raising flags — they are rebuilding lives, cautiously embracing the peace won through sacrifice, resilience, and hope for a safer future.